Can Tessalon Perles (Benzonatate) and Albuterol inhaler (Albuterol) be prescribed to a 15-week pregnant woman?

From the Guidelines

I would not recommend taking Tessalon Pearls (benzonatate) during pregnancy, especially at 15 weeks, as there is insufficient safety data for its use during pregnancy. While albuterol inhalers are generally considered safer and are often prescribed to pregnant women with asthma, all medication decisions during pregnancy should be made by a healthcare provider who can weigh individual risks and benefits. According to the expert panel report 3 (epr-3): guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma-summary report 2007 1, albuterol is the preferred short-acting beta 2-agonist because it has an excellent safety profile and the greatest amount of data related to safety during pregnancy.

Key Considerations

• Untreated respiratory conditions can pose risks to both mother and baby, so a doctor might determine that albuterol is necessary if you have asthma 1.
• Alternative cough treatments like honey (for cough), saline nasal sprays, humidifiers, and increased fluid intake may be safer options for managing respiratory symptoms during pregnancy.
• The concern with medications during pregnancy relates to potential effects on fetal development, particularly during the first trimester when organ formation occurs.
• Always consult with your obstetrician before taking any medication during pregnancy, as they can recommend the safest options based on your specific health needs.

Medication Safety During Pregnancy

The safety of medications during pregnancy is a critical concern, and albuterol inhalers are considered a safer option for pregnant women with asthma 1. However, the use of Tessalon Pearls (benzonatate) during pregnancy is not well-studied, and therefore, it is not recommended.

Recommendations

• Consult with your obstetrician before taking any medication during pregnancy.
• Consider alternative cough treatments that are safer during pregnancy.
• If you have asthma, your doctor may prescribe an albuterol inhaler as a safer option for managing symptoms 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category C Albuterol has been shown to be teratogenic in mice when given subcutaneously in doses corresponding to 1. 25 times the human nebulization dose (based on a 50 kg human). There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Albuterol should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Labor and Delivery Oral albuterol has been shown to delay preterm labor in some reports. There are presently no well-controlled studies that demonstrate that it will stop preterm labor or prevent labor at term Therefore, cautious use of albuterol sulfate inhalation solution is required in pregnant patients when given for relief of bronchospasm so as to avoid interference with uterine contractibility.

Albuterol can be prescribed to a 15-week pregnant woman only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. However, there is no information about Tessalon Pearls in the provided drug label. Therefore, a conclusion about the combination of Tessalon Pearls and albuterol inhaler cannot be drawn for a 15-week pregnant woman 2.

From the Research

Safety of Albuterol in Pregnancy

• The provided studies do not directly address the safety of albuterol in pregnant women, particularly at 15 weeks of gestation 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• However, albuterol is a commonly used medication for asthma, and its safety profile is well-established in non-pregnant populations 3, 4.
• There is no specific information available in the provided studies regarding the use of tessalon pearls in pregnant women.

Use of Albuterol in Asthma Management

• Albuterol is a bronchodilator used to treat asthma symptoms, and its efficacy has been demonstrated in various studies 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• The studies provided compare the safety and efficacy of albuterol with other medications, such as theophylline and beclomethasone, in patients with asthma 3, 4, 5.
• However, none of the studies specifically address the use of albuterol in pregnant women, making it difficult to determine its safety and efficacy in this population.

Potential Interactions and Considerations

• The studies provided do not mention potential interactions between albuterol and tessalon pearls, or any specific considerations for using these medications in pregnant women 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the safest and most effective treatment options for a pregnant woman with asthma or other respiratory conditions.